From the studio

Star Wars Cockpit Arcade Machine by Atari

The Atari Star Wars Cockpit Arcade Machine is a classic 1984 vector-graphics arcade game based on the Star Wars franchise. Its fully enclosed cockpit-style cabinet gives players the feel of piloting an X-wing fighter.

Manufacturer: Atari, Inc.
Release date: May 1984
Monitor: 19-inch Wells Gardner 6100 XY (vector)

Gameplay

Players take the role of Luke Skywalker, piloting an X-wing through three stages: battling TIE fighters, crossing the Death Star's surface, and the iconic trench run.
Controls are a yoke-style controller for manoeuvring and two trigger buttons for firing lasers.
The game features authentic Star Wars music, sound effects and digitised voice clips from the film.
Players progress through increasingly difficult levels while chasing a high score.

Cabinet design

Fully enclosed cockpit-style cabinet with tinted windows.
19-inch Wells Gardner 6100 XY vector monitor.
Artwork featuring Star Wars characters and scenes on the side panels.

Legacy

The cockpit has become a highly sought-after collector's item for its design and nostalgic appeal.
Two sequels followed, The Empire Strikes Back (1985) and Return of the Jedi (1984), neither with a cockpit cabinet.
The design and gameplay inspired home console adaptations and modern Star Wars games.

Fun fact: it was one of the first arcade games to use digitised voice clips from a film, a standout in the arcade scene of the 1980s.

Where it is now

After three decades of ownership, Shipwreck Studio has sold its Star Wars cockpit. It has gone to a new home in a retro arcade in Melbourne, Australia, to be restored and put back into public use.

Video Games magazine, April 1984

This article is from Video Games, a US publication, April 1984, $2.50 USD. It covered everything from arcade games to home computers.